Windhoek
The National Conservation Agriculture (CA) Stakeholder’s Workshop in Windhoek last week has set an example of how objectives can be reached within a three-day period of intense deliberation on one of the most crucial topics: food security and increased production.
The workshop succeeded in bringing together the various identified stakeholders to build a common understanding of
CA and its relevance to national development agenda. It also served as platform for an open exchange of experiences and evidence-based knowledge in CA.
The workshop furthermore developed and established a coherent CA coordination strategy and standards for the implementation of a comprehensive CA programme for Namibia. Another outcome is the idea of the development of a needs-based framework for domestic and external resource mobilisation and allocation of identified CA interventions.
Through plenary sessions, case studies and special working groups as well as video sessions, optimal sharing of experiences was enabled across sectors, disciplines and institutions.
Usi Hoebeb, Communication Specialist and Director of Ceremonies, pointed out that CA was defined, adopted and aligned to national goals, stakeholder experiences were shared and vital lessons learned while a coordination structure and network platform was established and a financial plan developed.
Session themes included the future of sustainable intensification of CA, the adaption of farming practices to address climate change and CA for sustained wealth creation. Participants were informed of how to unlock barriers to entrepreneurship along the value chains and were exposed to effective research and targeting strategies for enhanced CA adoption. Most importantly, they were informed first-hand about how innovative technology, approaches, infrastructure support and policies can drive greater adoption of CA systems in Namibia.